Begging me to come along? Yeah, I'm just as confused as you. Supposedly, I was going to take my break to recuperate from the rescue in «Floor of Exile» but suddenly I was messaged by my former comrade, Hozume.

To refresh your memory of him, Hozume is the leader of «Scarlet Temptation», a PK guild. Taking him to be imprisoned was a small priority of mine at first but due to the events from the «Floor of Exile», I changed my perspective of him. He lent me an extremely rare gauntlet when he knew that I was planning to battle a «Hybrid» player (That's when Koyero was absorbed by Husharu). I returned the gauntlets via message right after I returned to Aincrad though.

Now let's go back to the topic…

Before I made it to my favorite fishing spot, Hozume sent a message regarding Floor 84. It was discovered to be an Occult-themed floor and that our ally guild, «Azure Sky» will be handling it. I was supposed to be in disagreement with their offer but they insisted on being the ones to be the clearer of that floor. He said something about meeting them at «Maarthundal».

Where was I right now? I'm in Floor 84 right now, waiting for Hozume to arrive. He was late though. His time of meeting was 5 minutes ago. Is he plotting something without my knowledge? No. I trusted him already. The PK rate here in Aincrad has decreased very much! It was like «Scarlet Temptation» had no intention of committing any more kills. That adds more trust for Hozume but I can't be off-guard with him around. He's a skilled katana user after all.

«Maarthundal» had destroyed housed in the horizon. It was like a destructive force has come over and plowed down everything flat. Trees have fallen, the land looked lifeless, and a nearby cemetery was oozing some sort of corrupted miasma. This floor had 'forsaken' written all over it. It really did look like an Occult-themed floor! The atmosphere was gloomy and it was like a storm was about to erupt. These floors weren't included in the Beta so caution is a must.

Minutes later, I sensed some players approaching me. I redirected my sight so that I can see what is coming. The first people I saw were Figo and Hozume. With that revealed, I became confused. From what I heard, their two guilds are quite hostile to each other. Figo's the leader of our ally guild so he may have a proper explanation for this.

Hastily, I headed towards them and stopped right in front of them. "Hozume, I thought that you had some emergency situation you needed help with. Why are you accompanying Figo with you?" I made my question quite blunt but surely, he can answer… right?

Some moments were needed before he responded to my straightforward question. "Surely, you must know about the party for dominating «Maarthundal», right? I just thought that we may need a bit more manpower for this raid. Yes, Figo and I are two guild leaders but that does not mean that we can do it by ourselves. Even with our aides, it doesn't feel enough."

"Even with Wukure and Mishoro, it may prove difficult. From what I hear, this boss has a move that it can use once it is in the last life bar. It's an offensive healing technique called, «Cannibalism»." Figo grimaced as he showed me a close-to-breaking blade. "This is the blade of my comrade, «Irashu». It was once wielded by one of my comrades but he has now fallen…"

It seems like Figo has already sent a party for the boss raid. Another set of players fallen, huh? These bosses are getting trickier and trickier. I'll put away this small break I have and join them. Having another party fall to that boss will not happen!

"Fine, I'll do it!" My sudden outburst of energy caused the both of them to back away due to shock. "There's one thing I want to say though. Hozume, you better not be planning anything sneaky…"

My indirect accusation made the leader chuckle uncomfortably. "You have my word, Kirito-san. I swear upon my honor as a guild leader." He seemed serious with his words. The other person I didn't really trust is probably lurking somewhere around here… His name? It's Ze, one of the players that love backstabbing (Literally).

"With that settled, let's be on our way. Every floor becomes progressively smaller as we ascend but that does not mean that the boss dungeon would be easy to spot." Figo had his cloak cover himself as he went ahead. "We may not find it in just one day. My fallen comrade has not recorded its exact location. We must navigate the floor once more to find it."

After our conversation, we were off. The forces of «Azure Sky» were just minimal in numbers. The only players I actually know about were Wukure and Okasa! I do wonder where Quorora went to. She usually joins up with her master in every quest or raid he takes!

I volunteered to be partnered me up with Hozume since it would be for the best if I were to be the one to observe every action he may find viable and evaluate if it's anything with betrayal or treachery. His guild was well-known for murder by numbers after all! Their killing rate may have been close to nothing after acquiring Koyero but this can lead to preemptive strike coming from them.

Like in the village, the area outside the safety zone was terribly gloomy. It was like a monster could have popped out in any moment! Numerous areas seemed like traps ready to be sprung while all the others still gave the 'trap' impression. Now that I think about it, floors were being cleared faster than the previous floor so that may mean that we can clear the game in at least a month's time at this pace. It was February 25, 2025 right now.

I better stop making my mind wander around by something else though; focus was needed for this expedition.

Currently, nothing really changed in my armor but my weapons equipped right now were different. Due to this sudden call of Hozume, I had to reschedule the repair of «Elucidator» and make «Dark Repulser» my right-handed weapon. «Equalizer» is my left-handed blade since it focuses more on chaining combos and that it has a set amount of milliseconds before beginning its duplication. To cut it short, it's a support weapon.

We were all traversing the cracked ground whilst maneuvering around to avoid any unnecessary combat. Right now, I was only a few experience points away to become Level 99 but that still gives no valid reason for any combat with no reason. Saving up the health potions is a common strategy after all. Even if these monsters were quite easy due to our level, they become trouble in swarms.

At this time, we found ourselves blocked by some sort of crowd of monsters… to be exact, occult monsters. It seems like this big group of monsters were all a Tanuki! From what I know from some games I played before SAO, Tanukis may be small and very weak in physical combat, but they make up for it with their agility and troublemaking moves. Their fearsome pranks are also notable. Even their love of sake can be used as a weakness!

We knew that no opponent in SAO should be taken lightly. Giving it our all against a monster is one thing you must have if you're in a newer floor. The name of these Tanuki monsters is «Angered Tanuki». Each one of them looked ready to pounce on their prey but fortunately, they haven't spotted us yet. It also seems that this was the main spawning points of these monsters. In areas spread around, each Tanuki mob reached a number of at least 5.

Is strategy needed for a battle against these monsters? Well… not really. In total, the number of the monsters around us was 50. They all didn't seem to give much damage compared to the monsters in the previous floors but the one thing that makes them formidable is numbers. If they swarm around one player, I'm betting that it could either result to death or a close call. Facing these numbers could be considered crazy if you consider our numbers (22 players) but it seems like it was inevitable. Why? We were already surrounded as if it was a trap all along!

"Our situation is a bit dire, Kirito-san. My back-up forces being led by Ze is also searching around the floor. That means that they cannot aid us right now." So that's where Ze was! Hozume actually indirectly answered the question I was pondering about. "We're on our own here unless Figo has a trick up his sleeve."

We both turned our heads and stared blankly at Figo, causing him to respond with a shrug. "What a coincidence. I made Quorora part of my other forces as well! She's with Vukso so I'm pretty sure that she'll be safe… but I can't say the same for us." Even Figo had no back-up coming!

"Ehh? Don't worry about it, you three!" A sudden cheerful chirp caused us to focus our attention on the one who called out. "I'm very confident that we'll get through these Tanuki monsters! They may have numbers but they cannot stop us right?" Wukure went for some pep talk.

With no other option, I gave a small sigh. "Seems like there is no other way…" They all waited for me to continue on with my sentence. "We have to push through them all and avoid as much damage a possible!"

"That idea is a bit rash but I have to agree." A cold voice came from the cold assassin, Mishoro. "Just staying here doing nothing won't make them all away. We must make them disappear by ourselves. Life can give you some hardships but counter all that with a determined throwback…" He was the first one to lunge and he threw some assorted knives and daggers at the Tanuki monsters as fast as the wind!

"I like that idea Mishoro… Let's get some Tanuki!" Hozume's declaration of war was answered with the start of the battle. "As a guild leader, I shall not yield to such monsters!"

With our confidence intact, we charged against the mob of 60 monsters. «Angered Tanuki» is actually very weak to physical attacks but they kept evading our attacks! In 15 seconds, we managed to take down 10 of them but their swarmed attacks were beginning to take a toll on us. Each second resulted to a drop to our HP all because of their weak but quick counterattacks.

I also evade their quick attacks but some of them have already left a mark on me. Their numbers dwindles quickly but I knew better. All of us cannot possibly escape unscathed!

Minutes later, we actually went through and defeated the mob without getting any casualty! Only problem? Every one of us had our HP already below 50%. Even the guild leaders were fatigued from that fight we had! If the minor monsters in the field give trouble, how much more will the Floor boss give?! Even the environment had the same mood. It slowly became gloomier and darker after each step we took.

It was like this floor wasn't even meant to be found. The floor may be accessible and smaller than the predecessors, but it was still difficult to find the dungeon! Maybe we needed a small break to recuperate…

"Hey, I think we should go to the nearest safe zone to recuperate. All of you look terrible!" I noted which made them all stare. Some agreed with my idea while some others neglected the idea of wasting time but I knew that recuperation must take place! The other party will be in this as well. We can also trust on them as well.

How does it feel to be with Quorora? She is quite a fair maiden but I knew better than to try and take her from Figo! Deira would kill me! Anyway, I thought ahead of everyone and secretly brought Beast Tamer Silica. It was a bit out of the blue but she actually accepted (I made an elaborate and well-structured lie though)! Well, she does owe me for helping her escape from «Scarlet Temptation» before.

Why I brought her along, you ask? Do you know that moment when you're in desperate need of a healer? That may the case for the incoming battles. Pina's been growing ever since she reached the higher level of 75. I must say that she has been leveling up in an amazing pace! What did that mood-swinging Koyero do to increase her level this fast?!

Honestly, I don't prefer to be part of the clearers but a man like me really does need to do this in desperate times. Out of practice is what you can call it. It's been some time ever since I used this weapon of mine. My «Concealment» skill is high enough to even trick some guild leaders! No, Havuki is not one of them.

My train of thoughts was soon hindered by a certain «Beast Tamer». "Vukso, is there really an end to all this gloomy area? I thought you promised to bring some certain people to «Cliffhanger Sundae» after some events." Damn. She caught on fast. "You tricked me and made me go to that floor, didn't you? If I remembered correctly, the way to «Cliffhanger Sundae» is a forest full of life!"

Laughing and earning some weak non-threatening glances from her, I let the cat out of the bag. "Fine, you got me. I lied all about bringing you to that place you wanted to go… and no, Koyero's not coming." My confession seems to have caused her to pout and give me one of those 'I am not amused' looks. "Anyway, you'll know why I needed you to join me in this expedition soon enough."

She soon stopped conversing with me and went to Quorora instead. Yes, the sad truth where girls don't really like talking to me is taking place. I wouldn't blame her though. I also wouldn't blame Sinon for disliking me.

People's pasts have dark things and I have no consent of telling mine. In all honesty, I regret treating her like that… It was completely immature and uncalled for. My head was already bowed down as we traversed these ominous fields. Hopefully, she'd forgive me for the times I did something wrong.

The small group of mine hasn't encountered any occult monsters yet but surely, they will come for our lives soon. Technically, my group is just the back-up forces for «Knights of the Blood» and «Azure Sky» but I just can't take a hint. Throughout the whole navigation, I havent caught a glimpse of Kirito or Figo anywhere! Just what are they doing?!

As if fate wanted to test me, some kind of trap sprung and revealed the classical pitfall trap. Kayaba, please stop doing this to us! My whole group was swallowed up by the pit and we all started plummeting towards wherever this pit would end. At least we didn't die from fall damage or something. The only problem is that this area was as dark as the night sky. The place we came from covered up somehow!

Panicking is probably the only foolish action you could do right now. If you were to do this, it may awaken whatever is in this disastrous pit. My guess? Bats! They may be extremely weak in defense and offense, but they can make up for it in terms of swarm and severe bleeding damage. Another possibility is a «Vampire» because of this occult theme.

I stood firm and opened up my menu. I memorize the menu in some way so I have no problem doing it in the dark. With my dexterous fingers, I managed to equip a lantern. Its light is quite bright but it's not enough to awaken any sleeping monster, making it the best choice for caves and underground tunnels. How I got a lantern in the first place? I actually made Lisbeth make one for me. It's not too cheap but it's effective.

Feeling a tug on my shoulder was all that was needed to give me a shock. "Eh? What's wrong, Vukso?" Oh… It was just Quorora. Damn… thanks a lot for frightening me you dazzling woman… "It seems like the others are nowhere to be found… What should we do now?"

"What to do now? That's a piece of cake!" I gave a slight smug expression and looked at her. "Find them of course." It may look quite difficult to find them in a vast cave like this but I know myself well and finding them would be a snap!

Why the confidence? Cite one girl that is a Beast Tamer like that little girl, Silica? See? Nothing right? Hopefully, the others would be safe with their own resources though. After all, I'm like the tank of the team so what can they do without me?

"Don't worry, as long as we keep our quiet form, we should be able to avoid any combat." I knew that she would be this positive. After all, she is one of the many women I know that can keep her cool in check. "I just hope Silica would be alright… Who knows what kind of other things can lurk around here?"

Seeing the slight distress in her eyes, I went for some small pep talk. "She has that dragon of hers so how can she possibly get hurt?" Pausing for a moment, I gave a small grin. "She's not as weak as you think… except if she gets caught by the legs and pulled up." I started snickering.

No words were exchanged after that joke I made. Well, better serious than relaxed at a time like this right?

Next Chapter: Devastation.

Next Extra Scene: The Mercenary's last breath?